Norway Rats

Rats living in your crawl space or walls? Disappearing pet food? Dead rats or rat dropping in your attic? These may well be signs of a rat infestation. Call your local Critter Control office today at 800 CRITTER for effective rodent cleanup, rat removal and exclusion services.

Description

Large rodents, Norway rats are abundant worldwide and known as especially unfavorable pests. As carriers of disease, rats pose great risks to humans merely by occupying the same areas. In addition to being health hazards, Norway rats damage their surroundings when they collect materials for nests and forage for food.

Appearance

Norway rats are large rodents that are abundant worldwide. They become unfavorable pests to anyone that encounters them.

Large size

Blunted muzzles

Tails shorter than the length of their body

Small eyes

Plump figures

Brown fur with patches of black or gray

18 inches long

1 pound in weight

Habitat

Norway rats are highly adaptable creatures. Humans provide Norway rats with readily available sources of food and water, and suitable shelter, so they are prominent among major cities with bustling human activity. Norway rats are great burrowers and tend to nest underground or in other covered places that offer shelter from predators.

Norway Rat Problems

Entry

Norway rats enter homes and other buildings in search of their favorite food, including meats, grains, fruits, and nuts. It is not uncommon for the animal to orient themselves around landfills, dumpsters, and trash bins. If you have a Norway rat problem in your home, you may not be aware, as the rodents are mostly nocturnal. If you do spot a Norway rat in your home during the day, that typically indicates a large infestation. Other signs of a Norway rat problem include plentiful droppings, noises including scratching or scampering, burrowing near home foundations, and bodies of deceased rats.

Damage

Norway rats will completely damage their surroundings while creating a nest. In addition, Norway rats also bite and scratch when they feel threatened. The serious diseases they transmit leave humans that have been bitten and scratched by a Norway rat susceptible to any number of viruses, including:

Rat-bite fever

The plague

Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCMV)

Norway Rat Control

Trapping and Removal

Once infestations are established, property owners should act swiftly to remove populations as Norway rats multiply quickly. Contacting pest control professionals ensures the rodents are eliminated in ways that are safe for both the animals and people involved. Our trained Critter Control of Springfield technicians have the necessary tools to eradicate Norway Rats and are simply a phone call away.

Control and Safety

Basic sanitation is essential to the prevention of Norway rat infestations. Regularly cleaning buildings, sweeping up crumbs, and mopping liquid spills all reduce the possibility of attracting the rodents. Fitting trash bins with lids, sealing food in rodent-proof containers, removing clutter from basements and attics, sealing any holes in building foundations, and replacing broken window screens helps ward off Norway rats, as well.

If you have Norway rats in your home, call Critter Control of Springfield today! 417.413.2884